The Story

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for all the well wishes, texts, calls, etc! We feel so loved and surrounded by great family and friends - and a beautiful healthy happy little girl!

We got to the hospital this morning around 8:15 (a little late, woops!) and they started my IV, took some more history, and got me all prepped. Then it was the hurry-up-and-wait game... but not for too long! They came to take me back around 9:50 and the anestisiologist put in my spinal. This was the most nerve wracking part for me becaue I was so nervous that it wasn't going to work. Well, it did - very well! For a few minutes I felt a little nausous but it passed pretty quickly. They got me prepped and started the surgery (actually I asked if I was numb enough yet and they said, 'well, we started already so I think so').

Waylon was brought in and then I got really emotional. I felt so happy knowing I would be awake and couldn't wait to hear that cry. They told us when they were about to 'pop' her out and gave Waylon the option to stand up and watch - he did, so he got to see her come out! They gave me a quick peek before taking her out to be weighed and Waylon went with her. They brought her back a few minutes later to snuggle for a bit before taking her to the nursery to get all cleaned up and tested. She checked out except for two small issues - she had a slight heart murmur which they weren't really concerned about but then couldn't hear after a few hours and she also has a herniated umbilical cord. We are still unsure what exactly this means and are looking forward to talking to the pediatrician tomorrow morning about it but they didn't seem to concerned about it and from the little we read it's no big deal either.

After I was all stitched up, Waylon and Kylie met me in the recovery room and I was so happy to be holding her for the first time!! We tried nursing and she latched on a few times but only for a few minutes each time. Around 2:15, she latched on for about 15 minutes and nursing has been getting better and better since then. We ended up in recovery for almost 3 hours which was a little frustrating but apparently, they had 25 discharges today, so the housekeepers were working like crazy trying to get rooms cleaned (and had to have lunch in there, too). We finally made it to our room by about 3:00 and Waylon's parents came up to visit and meet Kylie While they were here, we all talked to Noah on Skype using the webcam, so he got to see his baby sister for the first time. He was really cute looking at and talking to her and was very interested in his baby sister. After a few hours, my parents came to the hospital with Noah (who can't come inside - new hospital policy) so Waylon went out to spend some time with him. Apparently, he was asking to come in and see Mommy and 'baby sister Kylie' - breaks my heart! Then Waylon's parents took Noah to the mall for some playtime and dinner while my parents stayed to visit Kylie. Aunt Andrea and Jennie and Cory also made it by to visit this afternoon which was great!

Everyone was gone by about 7:30 - Kay and Dick brought Noah back here to swap again and my parents changed him in PJs and he fell asleep on the way home - a big day for him - and us too!!

Well, I started this post before we attempted going to bed and I'm just now finishing it at 4:45am while feeding Kylie. :-) The nurse took her to the nursery around 10:15 last night to give her another bath and do some vitals and such, so we decided to take advantage of the time and try to get some sleep. They kept her in the nursery until about 12:30 so we got a little time to sleep. We decided to keep her in our room after that feeding but between her taking a while to settle down after eating and nurses coming in and out to check my vitals, we didn't get much sleep before this feeding - maybe another hour for me and a little more for Waylon. We may send her back to the nursery to get a little more sleep after this feeding but I think they are coming in to take out my IV and catheter at 6, so I'm not sure how much time I'll really get.

I'm looking forward to being unplugged though. I've been feeling really good - so much better than after Noah's birth, so I'm so ready to get up and start walking around and get a shower, too. We are hoping to possibly go home on Saturday but we'll just have to see what the docs say.

Thanks agan and big hugs to all of you out there. We are so lucky to have such a great support system. I'll try to get more pictures up tomorrow.

Night night (at 5am!) :-)

She's here!!

Kylie Mae Parham

October 15th, 2009 - 10:31 am

8 lbs, 4 oz - 21"

more details to come.....

A few days left!

Just a few more days and Kylie will be here! We are officially in the home stretch! Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I've been concentrating on the next thing coming... a vacation, getting Noah's room ready, another vacation, getting the nursery ready, etc etc etc. This week, the next thing is HER! I can't believe she'll be here in less than 48 hours. Our c-section is scheduled for Thursday at 10 am so keep an eye out for a blog post - hopefully Thursday afternoon!

I'm overwhelmed with emotions this week. Ecstatic, scared, sad, tired, the list goes on and on. Of course I'm so excited that Kylie is coming but the emotions this time around are so much different that with Noah. I'm a little sad that Noah will no longer be the one and only - although I know he's so excited and that they wil be the best of friends. He seems as prepared as he's going to be and actually really looking forward to Kylie's arrival. It's also strange and kind of sad to think that this is most likely the last few days that I'll ever be pregnant! I'm trying very hard to appreciate these last few kicks and pains!

I'm also nervous about the c-section. Even though I know what to expect (kind of), this time, I know it's coming so I'm nervous about having surgery! Not to mention, I'm hoping that they can get me numb enough and I can actually be awake this time around! In the end though, all that matters is a healthy and happy baby and family, so that's all I'm concerned about!

Now for pictures and an update from last weekend....

Noah had a speedy recovery from his Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. It was miserable that first night, the second night was better and by the third night, he was sleeping through the night again. It's been going all around daycare and some kids are just now getting it, so I guess I should just be happy that he got it last week instead of this week. Savannah, Noah's cousin, even has it and there's no way he could passed it to her, we don't think - so I think it's just going around in general.

We had a good mother/son weekend as Waylon had lots of football 'last hurrahs'. I was a little nervous about having to keep up with him all weekend while 9 months pregnant but he was really good all weekend and it was really nice to have some good bonding time before things are going to change a lot for him.

We were together Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning - mostly stuck around the house trying to relax and recover - but we played outside, ran some errands and had lots of fun. On Friday afternoon, Waylon came home from work early and I took off to the Pineapple Tea Room for a small shower that some of my friends threw for me! It was a last minute surprise and it was so sweet of them to do a little something for us! We also got lots of goodies for Kylie which is always fun....

Me, Anise, Megan, Jennie and Megan

Saturday morning, Waylon took Noah to the grocery store and gave me a little bit of alone time to relax. Afetr we got Noah down for a nap, he headed out for the NC State football game. Noah and I had another nice afternoon close to home and Waylon got home soon after bedtime.

On Sunday morning, Waylon left around 8:45 to head to Charlotte for the Panthers/Redskins game and we had an early playdate with Maddie. Can you belive I took no pictures during a playdate?! They had a good time playing, fighting and loving on each other. We even ended up with a bloody lip from too many kisses! :-) No, actually, Maddie was just loving on Noah, kissing and laying on (it was hilarious) and at one point, she came up and her head bumped into his chin. He must have had his lip between his teeth cause he got a little bloody lip but it was fine.

After Maddie and Frank went home, Noah and I headed over to Bass Lake for what our friends called breakfast - lunch for us! :-) After the meal, Megan took Noah outside to see Dave's motorcycle. Noah loved it! It was so funny.

After nap, we had more playtime at home inside and outside before bedtime. Waylon got home just after bedtime again (after a fun but disappointing game - he couldn't catch a break this weekend with his teams!).

Back to work and school yesterday and now we're here - almost time for Kylie's arrival. Today was my last day of work until January. I'm taking the day off tomorrow to relax, pack, get a pedicure, and have a pre-op appointment at the Birth Center.

Noah was in a good mood again tonight and we caught a few good pictures of one of our last nights as a family of three!

Playing chase with Daddy - one of Noah's favorite games!

And here's one last one of Noah kissing his baby sister.

We can't wait for him to give her REAL kisses!

A better day (and night)

Last night, we all slept much better so we are hoping that Noah is working on a quick mend. Today, we ran a few errands including a trip to Target where Noah picked out a toy for Kylie (a bee car seat toy). We are going to wrap it up and let him give it to her when we bring her home.

I also put our new double stroller together this afternoon. Here are just a few pictures I couldn't resist posting from today....

Noah ready to ride with his little sister!

He was very proud of his stacking skills here. :-)

Train Trip and Sick Day

On Sunday morning, after a nice date night on Saturday night (thanks Nana and Grandad!), we took a trip to the New Hope Valley Railway just south of here in New Hill. Waylon had seen an ad about this palce and we decided to try it out. It was lots of fun! They had a toy train display that Noah loved - he kept chasing Thomas around the track - and we took an hour train ride, too! Afterwards we had a picnic lunch while listening to live bluegrass music. It was a great family morning.

Watching Thomas

Mommy and Noah on the train

Watching them switch the engine to the other side of the train to head back to the station.

Next to the big train with Daddy

On Sunday afternoon, Noah helped Daddy prep and paint his new cornhole boards.

Today, we are home sick. Hand Foot and Mouth Disease has been going around his daycare and last night, it hit Noah full force. We went to the doctor this morning and got some suggestions for how to make it though but it's just a virus that has to run it's course. Let's just hope it runs the course before next Thursday!! He has some of the rash symtoms and no fever (luckily!) but what's bothering him the most is the ulcers that are covering the back of his throat. Poor thing. I think we all got a max of a few hours sleep last night. We're hoping tonight is better. Guess we might as well get used to the zombie feeling, huh? :-)

Well, it's been a while again. By the end of the days these days, all I want to do is lay down so it's taken me long to get the blog!


Let's see... going back to last Thursday - we had a great playdate with Evia, Eli, and Cole. Noah had so much fun playing with Eli and was interested in Cole, too.

Noah and Eli in the toy I pulled out for Cole! :-)

All the boys

Love this picture

Friday was a day off for daddy and it was a nice low key day. We ran some errands and went to the mall in the morning to play and then just stuck close to home in the afternoon.

Saturday morning, we stuck close to home again for a while and then went to Babies R Us to get a few necessities for the baby. After a nice lunch, Waylon took off for the football game and Noah and I went home for a nap. Ater nap, Noah and I went over to Janet and Frank's house to let Noah and Maddie play. Janet and I also went through a few bins of baby clothes and we got even more (!) clothes for little Kylie.

Dancing to a music DVD

Not sure what this was about! :-)

On Sunday morning, we headed over to the Farmer's market for an early breakfast. It was a nice breakfast and we even ran into one of Noah's favorite teachers from school, Chelsea, and one of his friends from school, too!

We always have to have a picture on the tractor at the Farmer's Market...

Sunday afternoon, our friend Megan came over to go through some of Noah's old bins of clothes. She recently found out that she's having a boy in February, so she took some of Noah's old stuff! Noah was so excited to have company when he woke up from his nap.

Sunday evening was a big treat for me!! I went to a concert with my friends Jenn and Jennie - we saw the Indigo Girls who I've wanted to see for a long long time! It was a great concert. They were amazing and we had some interesting adventures. :-)

Indigo Girls with Matt Nathanson

The beginning of this week was a little rough for me. I was really uncomfortable on Monday and Tuesday for some reason but started feeling better on Wednesday so that was good. I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions (normal for me - have had them since about 24 weeks and had them a lot with Noah, too) and she's just a really active baby in general, too so she beats me up all the time!!

Noah and I had a few good days home together Thursday and Friday. Thursday morning we went to Noah's school to get his pictures taken. Then we stayed for a little while to play. Noah had fun and it was a good activity for the morning! He took a long nap (growth spurt? - he's also been eating like crazy) and then Janet came over with Mason to hang out outside while Noah played in the backyard. The fall weather has been so beautiful here.

Noah watching Diego Thursday morning - Diego is the new thing around here!

We finally got the letters for the wall in the nursery this past week and I got them painted and all fixed up and finally finished the nursery! Here it is - from all angles! :-)

Yesterday we took a trip to the mall and met Nana there. She took us on a shopping spree for fall clothes for Noah - what a treat! Then we had a good lunch and home for nap. After nap, we met Rory, Maddie and Brendan at the park to play and then they came back for a pizza dinner. A nice end to the week.

We now have less than 2 weeks to go until Kylie joins our family! We can't wait. We did get some bad news this morning, though - the hospital just put into place a policy where kids under 12 can't visit at all - even siblings. So Noah will not be able to visit us while we are there. I'm really bummed about it but I guess we'll just figure it out.

This morning, we are just relaxing at home and getting a few chores done and this afternoon Nana and Grandad are coming over to watch the NC State game and then will stay to put Noah to bed so Waylon and I can have one last date night before Kylie is born.

A much needed update...

It's been a while since my last post, so here's an update on what's going on with us - just as a basic overview first...

We have been going through a little bit of a power struggle with Noah at home. We aren't sure if it has to do with him anticipating the arrival of the new baby or if it has to do with the fact that he moved into a new room at school and is now with the bigger kids. He's really just showing his independence and of course that's what the 'terrible twos' are all about but there is a reason they call them 'terrible'! :-) He's been much better in the past few days, so maybe it was just a little phase but we'll see!

We are slowly but surely working on potty training, too. He seems to be more interested and wanting to sit (and sometimes go) on the potty. I'm sure giving him M&Ms when he actually goes is helping, too! We aren't pushing it yet since he's likely to regress in a few weeks but he's definitely getting there.

On the baby front - we are pretty much ready. All the old stuff is down from the attic and clean, clothes and bottles are washed, and the nursery is almost done - we are just waiting for the letters for the wall to come in.... her name will be Kylie for those of you who don't know yet!

As for delivery, we went back and forth on scheduling the c-section or trying for a VBAC but in the end, we decided that it was best for us to just schedule the c-section. So, we have a d-day! We have a c-section scheduled for Oct. 15th (if nothing happens before that which is doubtful for me of course!).

I think that's all the big family updates - now here are the specifics...

Going back to two Saturdays ago, Grandad came over to babysit Noah while Waylon and I went to another wedding. This time it was a friend and old coworker of mine getting married. It was a beautiful wedding at the Duke Gardens and it was so fun to catch up with old friends.

Christie and Brandon

Old coworkers and friends

Sunday morning was a playdate for Noah and Maddie and then dinner with some old friends, Kate and Vic. It was so nice to see them and they are expecting their first son in December! Babies everywhere.

This shot was from this past Thursday -

Mommy's answer to a rainy day.... take the cushions off the couches and JUMP!

On Thursday afternoon, we went to visit Mason. Maddie was at school, so Noah enjoyed playing with her toys and then finally got excited to really meet Mason. Here he is tickling Mason.


Playing with trains on Friday

This past weekend was a busy one. Saturday, we went out to a Flyball competition that our neighbor and his dogs were competing in. Maddie and Frank came along with us to give Janet and Mason some quiet time. We left the house around 9:30, stayed to watch the dogs for quite a while and then got lunch and finally made it home around 1:00! Here are Noah and Maddie playing outside at the competition...

After Noah's (very short) nap on Saturday, we all headed out to the NC Stae game. Jennie had to work, so she let me use her ticket and we took Noah, too. Waylon was so excited about showing Noah his favorite sport and team. We weren't sure how well he'd do - he came to several tailgates last yaer but was difficult to keep up with. This year, he did great. He just hung out close to us and played in the dirt and played cornhole with the big boys, too!




Once inside, yet again, he did great! He was just enthralled with the sights and sounds and loved when the wolf howled. Since the game started at 6:00, we left at halftime and he fell asleep on the way home. It was such a fun family activity!



When we got home on Saturday night, my parents were there to greet us. Unfortunately, they had a funeral to go to on Saturday afternoon in Winston Salem, so they came to spend a quick night with us. Noah was surprised and excited to see them on Sunday morning. They didn't stay long and left around 9:30 or so but it was nice to see them as always. The rest of the morning was fairly relaxed and then Waylon took Noah to the store while I got some more baby things ready.

After Noah woke up from his nap, we headed over to spend some much needed quality time with Waylon's family! It had been a while since we'd all been together, so it was fun to let the kids play and have a nice dinner. I say it everytime they get together, but it really is so fun to see Noah and Savannah play. We all can't wait for Kylie to join in the fun!!

Hugs!


Riding matching cars :-)



How big is Savannah!?!? SO BIG!


Nana getting lovin from her two (of her three) favorite grandkids


Since we had skipped bath the night before and were planning to let Noah fall asleep on the way home again, we decided to get him a bath over at Nana and Grandad's and Savannah joined him!


Gotta love the hiney shots

Savannah helping to wash Noah


Grandad reading a bedtime story before we left.

And here's one last shot from one evening this week - Noah and I slow dancing! :-)